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A real McGruff takes a crime bite in Colombia, sniffing his way to high-profile drug busts – and now the cartels have begun to take notice.
A Colombian drug syndicate has already put a German Shepherd has already followed his nose to a record number of drug detections, finding illicit hiding hidden in suitcases, boats. and even large cargoes of fruit. She helped the police remove more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine from the streets.
The recent beatings of Sombra – which is Spanish for Shadow – include the discovery of more than five tons of cocaine concealed in banana crates destined for Europe. A few months ago, the tenacious dog sniffed 77 kilos of cocaine buried in an industrial machine.
"His sense of smell far exceeds that of other dogs," said Jose Rojas, Sombra's 25-year-old driver. the Associated Press.
But this talent could end up being his loss.
The Gulf Clan – one of Colombia's most powerful cartels, even possessing its own guerrilla army – awarded a $ 7,000 reward to anyone who would kill or capture the watchdog.
The threat prompted the authorities to move the puppy from his busy position on the Caribbean coast of Colombia to El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.
Investigators have discovered the threat against Sombra "Sombra, the German shepherd, has become the terror of criminal organizations", writes recently the Colombian newspaper El Espectador
His detective work is essential in Colombia, which is struggling with burgeoning coconut production. A recent report from the White House has revealed that the amount of land used to harvest the plant has increased by 11% in 2017, despite 10 billion US counter-narcotics.
President-elect Ivan Duque promises a harder approach to eradicate drug, including aerial spraying and the use of drones. But even with advanced technology, experts say that detective work on the ground is critical.
The Colombian National Police estimates that they have lost at least 1,800 officers – and a number of dogs – to the war on drugs over the past two decades. Several mates were killed while they were helping the officers to eradicate the coke crops.
The victories of Sombra have turned her into a media darling and, while she strutted around the Bogota airport with her handler. Rojas said that the attention of the stars had not gone to Sombra's head.
"Sombra, compared to other dogs, is much easier to work with," he said. "She understands the orders of a leader, and she is more playful than others."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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